Lord Richard Attenborough, 1923-2014: A Life in Pictures

With a career spanning six decades, Lord Attenborough has been hailed as one of the world's most celebrated filmmakers.

Beginning his career as an actor, he starred in films including Brighton Rock, World War Two thriller The Great Escape, 10 Rillington Place and later in the dinosaur blockbuster Jurassic Park. But Attenborough won the greatest acclaim for his work as a director, winning eight Oscars for his 1982 epic Gandhi.

He was appointed a CBE in 1967 and knighted just nine years later in 1976. He was made a life peer in 1993.

English actor and director Richard Attenborough on the set of 'The Last Grenade' at Shepperton Studios, Surrey, 4th May 1969. In the back ground (left) are actors Stanley Baker and Honor Blackman.AFP / Getty Images

American entertainer Danny Kaye with Richard Attenborough at the Dorchester Hotel, London, for a Variety Club of Great Britain luncheon.AFP / Getty Images

Richard Attenborough won eight Oscars for his epic GandhiGetty Images

Lord Richard Attenborough and Lord David Puttnam pose backstage in the Awards Room at The Orange British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) at the Odeon Leicester Square on February 19, 2006AFP / Getty Images

Richard Attenborough, who received the prize for Theatre/Film, makes a speech during the award ceremony of the tenth Premium Imperial Awards in Tokyo 29 October.AFP / Getty Images

AUGUST 29: (L-R) Lord Attenborough, Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, the former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela, Prime Minister Gorden Brown and Nelson Mandela's wife, Graca Machel attend the unveiling of his Statue in Parliament square on August 29, 2007 in London, England.AFP / Getty Images

Lord Richard Attenborough and Sir David Attenborough pose together before they are awarded the title of Distinguished Honorary Fellowships from the University of Leicester, at De Montfort Hall on July 13, 2006 in Leicester, England.AFP / Getty Images